The Young and the Beautiful

Chapter 14

I received a letter of invitation from the Americans. It said that due to my service and bravery, I will be given a medal for serving the war. Andres received the same letter. But he will receive more medals. We didn't let Pápa knew what we're up for because he didn't know what happened to us yet. We just said that we were invited by Enrique for a polo match and we need to stay on his place for a few days.

The military heads, and President Roxas, the Philippine President during that time were all present and gave a speech to thank us all for our service and bravery. But the saddest part of the ceremony was when they gave the medals and flags of both USA and the Philippines to the fallen soldiers' families. Two little girls who looked like six and five year olds received two flags of the US and of the Philippines for their lost father. I don't even think the girls already understood what it meant. Then one boy who looked like four saluted the soldier who handed his mama the flags. It was a heartbreaking scenario to see.

We were standing on a straight line when they put our medals on. I saw Enrique, Ignacio, Jose, Carmen and the boys I served with in Davao. Carmen got her medal for her courageous acts aiding the guerillas during the war. She even worked with them. But I was surprised that Andres, and I received a Purple Heart medal which was one of the highest ranking medals that a soldier can receive for his service and undying determination. He deserves it. Andres was wondering how can a radioman get a Purple Star if I just stayed in the office away from the front.

I saw my friends and talked for a while and asked them how they were all doing. Enrique said that he needs a break and will go to New York when all comes back to normal. Well, he'll go there to buy new custom made suits, party like a millionaire and race with his American friends. I hope I can join him. James plans to work in the government, Alfredo plans to study medicine, and Tom is a lawyer and plans to run for office soon. I invited all of them to my wedding.

"So, the fun is now over for you my friend!" James said.

"What are the nights chasing over girls would be without you. We're going to be incomplete from now on." Enrique said.

"Go chase girls with Andres!" I replied. The three of us laughed.

"Well boys, the war made me realize that life is short." I added.

The boys invited me for some drinks later like how we usually do during the war.

The night was filled with drinks, jazz music and a lot of war epics and reminiscing stories. We were all so happy that the war is over and got all of our old lives back.

During the first post war year in 1946, I worked in a project to plan and restore the damages in and out of Manila. Some were immediately approved and will be executed soon and Manila will be restored like how it looked like before the war. But it won't look like Hispanic buildings I grew up with because it would be costly to rebuild all of them.

The post war trials in Manila started that year as well convicting hundreds of Japanese soldiers their war crimes against the people of the Philippines. They were all sentenced to death by hanging immediately.

In June 1947, Camila and I got married in a small chapel where she was baptized in Pampanga, we did it after over a year that the war has ended.

Camila's family hosted us for a night and made us stay in their guest house just next door. Her family welcomed us with a less formal dinner. It was very delicious and we quite enjoyed it. After that, Camila's pápa invited us for scotch and some cigars over the next room while the ladies played mahjong in the living room.

As always those talks with the senior men revolved only around politics, business, and their younger years. Enrique handed me a note to excuse myself and he said that he brought a lot of drinks with him and we can drink it in their room. One by one, my friends and I excused ourselves and the old men were left together talking about things that interest them.

"That was so boring. Now the party should start for Pancho!" Enrique said as he popped a champagne bottle open. Then he played a phonograph that blasted out jazz music.

"So this is how you do it in America, Enrique?" Andres asked him.

"Well not just that! Pancho deserves a great send-off party! If only I can hire my best friend a beautiful stripper." Enrique said. All of us looked at him in surprise.

"What!? As if all of us here haven't seen a woman's body before?" He defensively said.

We all laughed after Andres made an impression on how our parents would react if hypothetically they found a stripper in our room.

"Well Alfredo here doesn't." Tom jokingly said. Alfredo was surprised from what he heard and wasn't able to defend himself.

"I don't think that I can let you attend a wedding without being with a woman." Enrique said.

"Tomorrow, I'll be your guide. A lot of Camila's friends will be here and you must date one of them." Enrique added. Maybe this is what he learned for staying in New York for a long time.

If his pápa would hear it? I think he would faint. Uncle Greg was a very conservative man. He was active in our community church and always made a big donation.

The boys and I laughed along with his idea. Enrique got a deck of cards and invited us to play poker with him. I never played cards before so Tom, James, Andres and him played. While Alfredo and I only observed what they were doing. Ignacio didn't make it here for he's stranded in Cebu for the same restoration project that I do.

"I didn't find any stripper for Pancho tonight so we'll just drink the night away boys!" Enrique said. As he opened a bottle of scotch and poured it on our glasses. We drank one bottle then another without even noticing it. 

The night went by so fast and I didn't notice that I drank too much, passed out and forgot what happened last night.